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Welcome to Workshop #2 March 20, 2005

Welcome to Workshop #2 March 20, 2005 Plus Three 2005 Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany Agenda for Today’s Workshop 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM -Study Abroad Contracts and Health, Safety, and Security Orientation (SAO Staff) 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM - Journal Writing “How To” (Faculty)

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Welcome to Workshop #2 March 20, 2005

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  1. Welcome to Workshop #2March 20, 2005 Plus Three 2005 Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany

  2. Agenda for Today’s Workshop 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM -Study Abroad Contracts and Health, Safety, and Security Orientation (SAO Staff) 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM - Journal Writing “How To” (Faculty) 4:15 PM– 4:45 PM – Refreshment Break (All – Lobby) 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM –The Program Project (Faculty) 5:30 PM – 6 PM – Plus Three Travel Specifics (SAO Staff) 6 PM – 6:30 PM –Question and Answer with Program Faculty and Staff

  3. Traveling Abroad: A Guide for Plus 3 Advice from the Plus 3 Team

  4. Topics • Weather • What to pack and wear • Food and water • Electricity • Money • Documents • Safety • Vaccinations • Communication • Conduct: dos and don’ts • Information Resources • Program Information • Deadline Reminders • Question and Answers

  5. Weather—Average Low & High • Santos, Brazil 64-77° • Valparaiso, Chile 50-63° • Beijing, China 56-80° • Rouen, France 53° (avg.) • Augsburg, Germany 45-63° (Check weather.com before departure)

  6. What to pack (regulations) • Regulations • USAirways International regulations • Two checked bags (max each of 62 inches in overall length), one carry on, one personal item (purse size) • All checked bags are x-rayed (be careful with film) • It may not be possible to lock your bag

  7. What to Pack (reality) Pack light! • One suitcase plus backpack carry on: YOU are lugging this stuff. • Put any valuables, camera, medicine and a change of underwear in your carry on. • Avoid bringing valuables including a laptop. • Bring a lock for your suitcase to keep money, etc. Your hotel is not likely to have a security box.

  8. What you will wear • Activity-appropriate clothes • Business attire (what shoes?) • Free time attire (campus wear, sports wear: what do these mean in these countries?) • Bring layers, clothes that don’t show dirt and don’t need to be ironed. • Bring a rain jacket.

  9. What NOT to Wear! • Say NO to crack! (This includes front and back cleavage – very inappropriate) • Dress CONSERVATIVELY! No bare midriffs, ripped jeans, logo t-shirts, etc. • In these locations, shorts are for sports and beach only! • Convey an image of class and elegance – dress nicely, but no flashy displays of wealth, etc.

  10. Food and Water • Bavarian food tends to include meat – often pork • Chilean food often includes seafood and beef • Chinese food includes rice and side dishes • French food includes meat, cheese, and creamy sauces • Brazilian food includes meat and seafood • Tap water is safe to drink in Germany and France. In Chile and China, students probably should be more cautious. You should drink bottled water in Brazil. In all five places, bottled water is easily available and cheap (however, if you don’t like carbonated beverages, be sure to ask for water without bubbles!)

  11. Electricity • The US uses 110 volt 60 cycle current with a US plug • Continental Europe and Chile use 220 volt 50 cycle with a European plug • China uses 220 volt 50 cycle current with a US two prong plug • So what? Two problems. You need to: • Convert the current from 220 to 110 • Some products (laptops, some hairdryers) have a switch for changing built in…you switch it or it does it for you. Some need to have a current transformer (converter) that you buy separately to change 220 to 110. • Adapt your US plug to a European one so you can plug your device into the wall. A plug adapter does this trick. • Brazil uses 220, but the outlets will take our plugs (Prof. Budny will explain) • Moral: do you really need to take that electrical thing with you? If the answer is yes, you need to sort out what you need to do to make it to work where you are going.

  12. Money • Currency Exchange Rates (as of March 15, 2005) • Germany and France: Euro (1Euro= $1.33) • Brazil: Real (1 USD = 2.76) • Chile: Pesos (1USD = 593) • China: Yuan/Renminbi (1USD = 8.28) • What form to take? (Travelers checks? Cash? ATM card? Credit card?) • Be sure to take more than one form in case of loss or theft. • How much to take?

  13. Documents • What you need • Passport • China and Brazil require a visa for US citizens • Chile requires an entry fee of $100 payable in USD • You need to purchase the ISIC Card. • Make a photocopy of passport front page and of credit cards • Keep these in a safe place

  14. Communication • Email and IM access are available in limited ways • Phone calls from hotels are VERY expensive: sometimes $5/minute to the US…and you pay • Local calls are metered and are expensive from hotels. • Calling cards are available, but not as readily as in the US—usually best to use from a phone booth • Usually best if friends and family call you • Your mobile phone will probably not work (or it may be very expensive). Check with your service provider about these details. How will you recharge its battery (see Electricity)?

  15. Safety • Pay attention to the health and safety lecture from SAO • What are the implications of war and terrorism? • Dress to fit in: no baseball caps, no Pitt sweatshirts, no American flag clothes: don’t wear things that identify you as an American • Don’t be an obnoxious American: when you go to restaurants and bars, work to fit in (drunkenness equates obnoxious American) • Make sure that your family has copies of your exact itinerary. Please share the information that you have received about this orientation with your parents. • Use the buddy system – always stick with at least one other person from the program at all times.

  16. Safety, continued. • Be careful who you befriend. • Be careful who you hit on! (they may have a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, etc.) • Be responsible – you are young adults

  17. Conduct: dos • Be on time for everything planned • Company visits: it is extraordinarily hard to get company visits for undergrads • Be attentive and alert • Dress and act professionally • Be prepared • Ask questions • Free time: fit in (see previous slides) !

  18. Conduct: don’ts • Drugs. Stupid. Particularly stupid abroad. If you are caught you will go to jail and we won’t be able to get you out. • Alcohol. In these countries 18 year olds can drink alcohol, but you are to act like adult representatives of the University of Pittsburgh. You also need to be sober enough to be aware of your surroundings and not hung over during academic-related activities. Alcohol abuse will affect your grade and could lead to your being sent home. Excerpt from Study Abroad Contract (you are required to sign if you intend to do this program) • Illegal Drugs: The undersigned understands that the use or possession of illegal drugs during the program or being knowingly present in instances of use or possession of illegal drugs during the program is cause for immediate dismissal from the program without refund. • Alcohol Abuse and Related Misconduct: Alcohol abuse and alcohol-related misconduct will not be tolerated. Such misconduct is cause for reprimand, referral to counseling if such services are reasonably available, involuntary withdrawal from the program, and action under the Student Code of Conduct and Judicial Procedures upon return to the University of Pittsburgh. The undersigned must also abide by all alcohol-related laws of the host country. • Involuntary withdrawal: The undersigned acknowledges that return passage and all other expenses occasioned by a participant’s involuntary withdrawal from the program shall be the sole and exclusive financial responsibility of the student concerned.

  19. Vaccinations Please Refer to CDC information Contact Information for Allegheny County Health Department (Located across from CVS in South Oakland) 3333 Forbes AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15213Ph: (412) 687-ACHDFAX: (412) 578-8325 http://www.achd.net/

  20. Other Important Sources of Information • Study Abroad Pre-Departure Guide • http://www.abroad.pitt.edu/hss.html • United States Department of State • www.state.gov • Centers for Disease Control • http://www.cdc.gov • Lonely Planet Travel Guides • www.lonelyplanet.com

  21. Program Information • We will distribute packets of information to you at our April 10th meeting. This will include program calendars, contact information, etc. • This packet of information will also be sent home to your parents • Please share all information that you learn from us with your parents!

  22. Deadline Reminders • Wednesday, March 23rd, by 4 PM • Flight and Medical Information due to the CBA and ENG Study Abroad Offices • Program Registration: Complete between Thursday, March 24th and Thursday, April 7th . You must be registered for this course by April 7th! • Completed Study Abroad Contract and related materials due to the Study Abroad Office by Thursday, April 7th by 4 PM (NO EXCEPTIONS!)

  23. Question and Answer Faculty and Staff

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